Parrot and Sailboat (#98) 1980

Jo Ann Callis conjured this photograph of a parrot and sailboat, number 98, sometime in her studio. Just look at that bird, all bright yellow and green, cocking its head as if to say, "Is that it?" Beside it bobs a toy sailboat with a tiny seagull on its sail. I can imagine Callis setting up this tableau, adjusting the light, maybe even talking to the parrot to get the perfect shot. What was she thinking as she composed this scene? Was she after a playful juxtaposition, or was there something deeper at play? The surface is so smooth, almost clinical, yet the subject matter feels whimsical and a bit absurd. Like other artists, Callis uses a playful spirit to look closely at the world. Artists are always in dialogue with each other, riffing on ideas, pushing boundaries. This image is more than just a snapshot, it is an invitation to dream.